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US4096073A
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Microbial viscosifiers
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1975-06-30
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1995-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing microbial viscosifiers, for use in waterfloods, for instance, which involves mixing fermentation suspensions comprising Gram-negative cells with a base to raise the pH of the resulting solution above 7.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald O. Hitzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:32
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; C12; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/04; C12P19/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/904; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of producing microbial viscosifiers which comprises: (a) contacting a fermenter effluent consisting essentially of gram-negative cells of a type which produce no extracellular material as a solid constituent with a base to raise the pH to a value within the range of 9 to 12; and (b) aging said thus contacted material containing said base at a temperature of about 50°-212° F for a period of at least 5 minutes to increase the viscosity thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of producing microbial viscosifiers which comprises: (a) contacting a fermenter effluent consisting essentially of gram-negative cells of a type which produce no extracellular material as a solid constituent with a base to raise the pH to a value within the range of 9 to 12; and (b) aging said thus contacted material containing said base at a temperature of about 50°-212° F for a period of at least 5 minutes to increase the viscosity thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said pH is within the range of 9 to 10.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said base is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cells are selected from the genus Serratia, the genus Pseudomonas, or the genus Arthobacter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cells are produced in a fermentation wherein the principal source of carbon and energy is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, and methanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said aging period is 1-3 days.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of producing microbial viscosifiers which comprises: (a) contacting a solid constituent consisting essentially of gram-negative cells provided by separating out extracellular material from a fermenter effluent to leave only said cells with a base to raise the pH to a value within the range of 9 to 12; and (b) aging the thus contacted material containing said base at a temperature of about 50°-212° F for a period of at least 5 minutes to increase the viscosity thereof.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of producing microbial viscosifiers which comprises: (a) contacting a solid constituent consisting essentially of gram-negative cells provided by separating out extracellular material from a fermenter effluent to leave only said cells with a base to raise the pH to a value within the range of 9 to 12; and (b) aging the thus contacted material containing said base at a temperature of about 50°-212° F for a period of at least 5 minutes to increase the viscosity thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |